Victims of Manukau Harbour bar to be farewelled at joint funeral

Terangi "Toots" Woonton (left) and Kairangi Samuela died after their boat was swamped while crossing the bar.

They died together and now two men caught up in a tragic boating accident in the Manukau Harbour this week will be farewelled together.

Terangi "Toots" Woonton, 59, and Kairangi Samuela, 53, lost their lives when the boat they were in was swamped while crossing the Manukau Bar on Monday afternoon.

The two victims and three other men - all related - had earlier spent a day out fishing and were tipped into the treacherous sea at about 2pm.

The survivors endured choppy conditions for almost two hours before a family out sightseeing on their boat spotted one of the men and went to their aid.

Yesterday, Mr Woonton's son, Jason Woonton, said they were planning a special family service for the two men tonight at a church in Mangere.

The cousins will then be farewelled at a joint funeral tomorrow morning.

Jason Woonton has contacted the family who made a heroic effort to rescue the survivors and recover the bodies of the two men.

Louise Pieters, one of five people on the boat that located the fishermen, said she spoke with Jason Woonton and his mother on the phone.

"He just wanted to pass on his thanks to everyone involved on behalf of the family," she said.

"He was really thankful and relieved that they were able to get his father back."

It meant a lot for the family to have both the survivors and the bodies of Mr Woonton and Mr Samuela back, Ms Pieters said.

"He also passed the phone to his mum ... and she just said a big thank-you and that she felt for us as well given that we were obviously out on a family outing and we went through that as well."

Mr Woonton said the family were rallying behind his mother and Mr Samuela's partner as both were finding the situation particularly difficult.

He said their family had received a great deal of love and support from all branches of the community and expressed their thanks.

Tributes to the fallen men have continued, with many of their whanau and friends posting on social media sites about their shock at the loss and tragedy.

Lucy Browne said she had heard from her Uncle Kairangi in November. "He [messaged] me to see how I was and I told him I hoped to catch up in the new year. He was the cool uncle. Still in shock ... RIP Uncle Kairangi. Love you."